THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has instructed the National
Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) to start selling drugs directly to
patients in local currency to cushion them from the predatory practices
of most pharmacies that are demanding payment in foreign currency.
Natpharm has been selling some drugs to pharmacies using plastic
money but pharmacies would in turn demand that patients pay only in
foreign currency. In an interview recently, Health and Child Care Deputy
Minister Dr John Mangwiro said patients could now buy drugs directly
from Natpharm using any form of payment. He said efforts have also been
made to supply the drugs to Government hospitals where they can be
easily accessed using plastic money.
Dr Mangwiro also said the country has insulin stocks to last for a year.
“Natpharm has enough insulin to last patients about a year and people can directly get insulin from our Government hospitals so it is available. Drugs will be available in our Government pharmacies so people must go there,” he said.
Dr Mangwiro said all patients above 65 years must access their drugs from Government hospitals. Sunday News
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